Arlington’s Discovery Elementary School Featured in “Building Brighter Futures Through Zero Energy” Video

From the US Dept. of Energy, which apparently still hasn’t gone 100% over to the dark side under Trump. In my view, Discovery Elementary School in Arlington should be a model for every other school in Virginia. Note that “Discovery saves $100,000 per year in utility costs, enough to cover the salaries of two teachers.” Plus, kids get to learn about cutting-edge energy technology, as well as about the crucial importance of environmental sustainability — first and foremost for their own futures. Seems like a win/win all the way around. Nice job to everyone involved in this!

Currently experiencing a population boom, Arlington County is facing massive growth in the next decade and is seeking to add half a million square feet in educational facilities. During competitive design procurement, one of the teams suggested a zero energy goal could be accomplished within the given budget. Proponents at the district level who had been championing energy efficiency were receptive because sustainability was a core value of the project from the start, but they were skeptical that it could be done within the budget aimed at LEED Silver. Not only did the project end up coming under budget, including the solar array, but the building is more efficient than the originally predicted. Now Discovery saves $100,000 per year in utility costs, enough to cover the salaries of two teachers.